Polo Teams Fly To Cabo San Lucas For Polo Tournament
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
By Susan Stovall, Photos by Mariano Lemus
Carlitos Galindo goes for the ball in action during the finals of Club Polo Cabo event
Club Polo Cabo is definitely a “growing concern” in the Polo world. Tony Yahyai , president of the club and his partners, Jose Alexander, Dennis Withsosky and Dagberto Gil, hosted four teams for his inaugural opening of the club just outside of the very popular Mexican resort – Cabo San Lucas on November 14 and 15th .
Daily flights from all over the USA and Canada as well as Paris, France, London and Frankfurt, Germany bring tourists to this area and Yahyai wants them to enjoy his love of polo and the development.
Mexico, Argentina, California and Washington State were the teams that made the journey to this new club. Thirty head of polo ponies are stabled on site and organized by Miguel Vadel. The field played well as truckloads of sand were brought in to mix with the local soil and made for very fast play. Three on a side and an indoor ball were used to make for fair and safe play as the field has not yet been planted with the proper grasses that will be required.
The project is located on a hillside a mile above the Pacific Ocean.Yahyai’s (A) Mexico-Fiesta Americana team was Carlos(4) and Carlitos(3) Galindo, Argentina included Gaston von Wernich(5), Miguel Vadel (1) and Roberto Estudillo(A), California had Nicolai Galindo(4), Steve Paulson(A) and Ramon Richard (A) and from Spokane, Washington were Suzy Dix(A), Jake Devane(1) and Dan Juarez(4). Argentina played California in the first game and scoring was led by Nicolai Galindo with 4 goals for the winning team and Gaston von Wernich had 3 for team Argentina.
In the afternoon game Polo Club Cabo-Fiesta American was led by the father-son team of Carlos and Carlitos Galindo both scoring 3 goals and Tony Yahyai had a breakaway goal and 2 penalty shots. Suzy Dix of the Washington State threesome had a goal as did Dan Juarez. All the players and guests were entertained after the game at the beautiful Fiesta Americana on the Sea of Cortez hosted by Alberto Gurrola, general manager of this world-class resort and golf complex.
Finals day was picture perfect and a view of the Pacific Ocean was enjoyed by the players ready for their day of competition. The consolation round put California against Washington. Cary Burch substituted for Vadel on the Argentine team and was the high-scorer for the game with 3 end to end goals, but not enough to win as the well balanced team of Dix, Devane and Juarez each had 2 to win the match 6 to 5.
Polo action on site at the Club Polo Cabo above the Pacific Ocean in Mexico
Club Polo – Fiesta-America was ready to take California but had to give up 2 goals on handicap. The Club Polo team put the goals on the scoreboard, but so did the California team goal for goal and as the last bell rang – the score was tied. Horses being an issue– a shoot out was in order with the California team of Ramon Richard, Nicolai Galindo and Steve Paulson taking the title.
Tourism Director of Cabo San Lucas, Alberto Trevino, and Yahyai and the San Diego partners – Dennis Withsosky, Jose Alexander and Dagoberto Gil of Mexico and Alberto Gurrola of title sponsor, Fiesta-Americana made the trophy ceremonies very special. Other guests for the inaugural event were Michael Avery, architect for the project, Hans and Safi Wasemoth visiting from Holland and Mr. and Mrs. Natel Gouletas of Chicago – both investors in Club Polo. A check was presented by the owners of Club Polo to Casa Hagor, a local boys charity and orphanage, who were able to watch this unique event.Club Polo Cabo plans to have its next on-site event in January. See www.clubpolocabo.com.
Players for the inaugural event at the beautiful Fiesta-Americana in Cabo San Lucas. From left to right: Miguel Vadel, Gaston von Wernich, Dan Juarez, Jake Devane, Suzy Dix, Tony Yahyai, Carlos and Carlitos Galindo, Steve Paulson, Nicolai Galindo, Robert Ramon
Winners of the game – California From left to right: Steve Paulson, Nicolai Galindo and Ramon Richard